Several additional candidates entered the races for Caldwell County seats ahead of Friday’s primary election filing deadline.
Princeton Police Detective James Trent Fox has filed to run for the judge-executive seat and will be unopposed in the Democratic primary. On the Republican side, current District 4 Magistrate Jeff Simms and former Caldwell County Sheriff and deputy Chris Noel will compete for the judge-executive’s seat.
Clint Joiner filed on Wednesday, Jan. 7th, to run as a Republican for the District 2 magistrate seat, and will challenge Republican incumbent Jeff Boone, who filed for reelection.
On Thursday, Jan. 8th, Chance Oliver filed for the District 3 magistrate seat and is unopposed in the Democratic Primary. Incumbent Republican Brent Stallins is also running unopposed in the Republican Primary as he seeks another term.
Barry Fraliex filed his paperwork on Friday, Jan. 9th, as a Republican for the District 1 Constable seat, and is unopposed.
Jennifer French filed on Jan. 9th as a Democrat to run for the county clerk’s seat and is unopposed in the Democratic primary. On the Republican side, incumbent Jennifer Watson Hale is being challenged by David Zachery Granstaff for the office.
Here is a complete list of candidates with their filing dates for the 2026 Primary Election:
COUNTY JUDGE-EXECUTIVE
Jeff Simms – Republican (12/16)
Chris Noel – Republican (01/05)
James Trent Fox – Democrat (01/09)
COUNTY CLERK
Incumbent Jennifer Watson Hale – Republican (11/06)
David Zachary Granstaff – Republican (11/25)
Jennifer French – Democrat (01/09)
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Incumbent Roy Massey IV – Republican (12/03)
SHERIFF
Incumbent Don Weedman – Republican (11/07)
Boyd James Bates – Democrat (12/05)
JAILER
Angela Cotton – Republican (11/05)
William Lee Baker – Republican (01/06)
CORONER
Incumbent Dewayne Trafford – Republican (11/19)
SURVEYOR
Incumbent Rick Tosh – Republican (11/21)
MAGISTRATE DISTRICT 1
Bobby Joe Harper – Republican (11/10)
Casey Baker – Republican (11/26)
MAGISTRATE DISTRICT 2
Incumbent Jeff Boone – Republican (11/07)
Clint Joiner – Republican (01/07)
MAGISTRATE DISTRICT 3
Incumbent Brent Stallins – Republican (11/07)
Chance Oliver – Democrat (01/08)
MAGISTATE DISTRICT 4
Matthew Lane – Republican (12/18)
Randy Jordan – Republican (12/22)
George Kilgore – Republican (01/06)
DISTRICT 1 CONSTABLE
Barry Fraliex – Republican (01/09)
DISTRICT 2 CONSTABLE
Incumbent Brian Hicks – Republican (11/07)
The Primary Election will be on Tuesday, May 19th.
Meanwhile, Tajuana Davis filed on Friday, Jan. 9, to run as a Democrat in the mayor’s race for the City of Princeton. The deadline for candidates to file for mayor and city council is not until June 2nd.
